Fireproof receptacle for films of moving-picture apparatus.



G. J. GILMORE. FIREPROOF REGEPTAGLB FOR FILMS 0F MOVING PICTUREAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1909.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

messes Z(/] M&

GEORGE J. GILMORE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FIREPROOF BECEPTACLE FOR FILMS MOVING-PICTURE APPARATUS.

arc er.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 15, 191(1),

Application filed November 15, 1909. Serial No. 528,002.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE J. GILMORE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and Statoof Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Fireproof Receptacles for Filmsof Moving-Picture pparatus, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to fireproof receptacles for films or movingpicture apparatus, the object being to provide a receptacle forprotecting combustible and inflammable films from fire. It is well knownto those familiar with the moving pictures industry, that the filmswhich contain the pictures are made of highly combustible andinflammable material, and are frequently exposed to sudden andaccidental fire; occasionally becoming ignited and consequentlyconsumed. The loss of the films is consequential, but the danger of fireto the structure. in which the pictures are being exhibited, is moreserious, and productive of catastrophies. In many cities and towns wherefilms of this type are used in moving picture apparatus, laws andregulations have beenenacted which tend to lessen the danger fromaccidental ignition of the film, but nevertheless accidents occur,because the films which are not in use are frequently left exposed'sothat whenever a fire occurs I ma room Where such exposed films are kept,

the unprotected ones are consumed almost inevitably. It often requiresthe use of several reels of film for an evenings entertainment, andboxes are provided for their protection, yet an operator often neglectsto place the cover on the box' after the film has been replaced therein,thus leaving it exposed to accidental fire. To avoid this danger -I haveprovided a substantially fireproof receptacle for films,=having a coverthat closes automatically, (through the medium of gravity) to cover theopening through which the films are placed in the receptacle or removedtherefrom and seal the same against entrance of fire.

The invention therefore consists in a fireproof film storing orsubstantially fireproof receptacle having a cover or door, operating bygravity to automatically close and seal the opening against fire,whenever it is released from any point in its open positions.

It further consists in the several novel features set forth inthe-followlng specificait to a wall or other vertical support. The

receptacle comprises in general a film box or magazine 12, and a-cover13, which is movab y supported .in such manner that when released itwill fall by gravity to its closed position. As shown in the preferredform, the cover is hinged oi pivoted to the tion and particularlypointed out in the ap-. pended claims.

box by hinges 14, that are placed along the upper meeting edges betweenthe box and cover, whereby the cover may be raised to expose theinterior of the box, and when reiaeased will fall by gravity to itsclosed posi- To guard against the entrance of any ex= cessive degree ofheat to the chamber of. the

.or other non-combustible material. In the form shown they are made withan outer casing 15, and an inner shell 16, suitably fastened together,so as to leave an air space between them, .gwhereby any external heatmay not be readily conducted to the interior of the receptacle. Thecover also may be made hollow as shown. Flanges17, are provided upon thecover, and overlap the sides and bottom of the box, thereby covering thejomts between the cover and box and elfeetually prevent-ing fire fromentering at this point. A handle 18, may be provided upon the coverto'facilitate' the raising of the same and if desired a stop 19, may beprovided to.

limit the upward movement of the cover so that it cannot be swung upwardbeyond its center of gravity. I

It is evident that the structure thus described furnishes a convenientand substantially fireproof receptacle for the films, which willwithstand the ordinary fire that may occur in'places where devices ofthls character are used, and that regardless of a persons carelessness,the cover w1ll close automatically and seal the receptacle against theentrance of fire, whenever released from v an open position.

The receptacle can be made of a size to contain but one reel of film,but I prefer to construct it large enough to contain a number ofreels,-and have shown the same as divided into a number of individualfilm receiving compartments, as for instance by means of shelves 20,arranged one above the other in the box, and secured thereto in anydesired manner. The shelves may'be made hollow, as shown, therebyleaving air spaces between the various compartments. The reels of film(shown at 21,) may be placed upon the shelves and if desired, some sortof air humidifier 22, placed on the bottom of the box. to maintain aslight degree of humidity in the air within the receptacle. When the boxis thus divided into compartments, it is desirable to provide-a separateauxiliary cover for each compartment, and in the preferred form, I haveshown auxiliary covers 23, for the compartments that contain the films.These auxiliary covers are arranged to close automatically under theinfluence of gravity and if desired may cover.

be hinged to the receptacle, as at 24, so that they fall automaticallyto their closed positions, whenever they are released. If desired theymay have flanges 25, for covering the joints between themselves and thereceptacle. This construction affords a double protection, and preventsfire from entering the closed compartments whenever the main cover andany one auxiliary cover is raised, should any fire occur at such time.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of auxiliary In this case the cover 26, hasa shelf 27, secured to it which slides into the box. The reel of filmmay be placed upon the shelf and slid in the box. With this form also,any one reel of film may be removed from the box without endangering theothers.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 4, the box 28, has a verticallysliding cover 29, which is guided in ways 30, that are provided in thebox. -It is evident that the cover may be raised to expose the interiorof the box, and when released will fall by gravity to its closedposition. 'This form is especially advantageous in places-where it isdesirable to economize space, and it is quite usual that the cabinetwhich contains the moving picture apparatus, is so small thatthere isnot suflicient room for a swinging cover. This form of the invention maybe made to contain one or more reels of film, as desired.

I am aware that various alterations and modifications of this device arepossible without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do nottherefore desire to limit myself to the exact form of construction andarrangement shown and described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Let- 1 ters Patent:

- l. A receptacle for films of the character described, comprising incombination a casing having a main opening, a plurality of substantiallyfire proof film receiving compartments therein, each of which issurrounded by an air space and provided with an opening through whichthe films are inserted or removed, an individual gravity cover for eachcompartment constructed to automatically cover and seal said openingagainst fire, and a main gravity cover spaced away from the individualcovers, and constructed to automatically close and seal said ,mainopening against the entrance of fire when released from an openposition.

2. A receptacle for protecting films of the character described, fromfire, comprising in combination an outer casing havin ,a main opening, aplurality of film receiving compartments within said casing, and spacedaway from the walls thereof and away from each other to leave air spacestherebetween, each compartment having an \opening leading out throughthe main opening, through which the films may be inserted or removed, agravity cover for the opening of each compartment constructed toautomatically close and seal said opening against fire whenever releasedfrom an open position, and a main gravity cover for the main openinghinged at its upper end to the casing and constructed and arranged toclose and seal said opening against fire whenever released from an openposition.

3. A receptacle for protecting films of the character described, fromfire, com rising a substantially fireproof film storing ox having aseries of non-communicating film storing' compartments, all opening outin one direction, individual covers for said com partments, and agravity cover constructed to automatically cover and seal said openingagainst the entrance of fire, whenever released from an open position.

4. Areceptacle for. protecting films of the character described, fromfire, comprising a substantially fireproof open sided film storing box,a series of shelves therein, arranged one,above the other and formingindividual film receiving compartments, an auxiliary cover for eachcompartment and a gravity cover for theopen side of the box, adapted toautomatically close and seal said openingagainst the entrance of fire,whenever released from an open position.

5. A receptacle for protecting films of the character described, fromfire, comprising a substantially fireproof open sided film storing box,a series of shelves therein, arranged one above the other and formingindividual compartments for the films, an auxiliary I cover for eachcompartment and a gravity cover for the 0 en side of the box, havingflanges on its si e and bottom edges adapted to overlap the contiguousedges of the box, saidcover being adapted to'automatically close andseal said opening against'the entrance of fire, Whenever released froman open position.

6Q A receptacle for protecting filmsof the character described,comprising a fireproof open sided film storing box, a gravity coveroperating to automatically close and seal said opening against theentrance ofiire, Whenever released from an open posltlon and a stoplocated outside of the box for limiting the upward movement of thecover,

so that it cannot be opened to a plane be: yond its center of gravity.In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cookcounty, Illinois, this 10th day of November, 1909.

GEORGE J, GILMORE, Witnesses:

CHARLES O. SHEI'WEY, FANNIE F. Rrci nmos.

